November  21, 1895.’ 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
497 
Peat  for  Orcizlds  (^Belgravia). — The  sample  of  peat  sent  is 
certainly  not  by  any  means  a  good  one  for  Orchids.  You  have  been 
misinformed  with  regard  to  its  needing  to  be  decayed  before  use  ; 
unfortunately  the  very  best  of  peat  decays  only  too  quickly  in  the 
moist  heat  of  an  Orchid  house.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  a 
good  sample  of  Orchid  peat  from  any  of  the  well  known  firms  that 
advertise  weekly  in  this  Journal.  Of  course,  as  the  best  material  has  to 
be  selected  the  prices  rule  comparatively  high,  but  this  is  a  small  matter 
when  the  health  of  valuable  plants  is  concerned.  It  is  obtainable 
either  as  cut  and  dried,  or  prepared  for  use  by  having  all  the  sand  and 
earthy  parts  removed,  the  latter  being  in  most  cases  preferable. 
American  Walnut  (2).  C.  <S.). — The  name  of  the  tree  to  which  you 
refer  is  Juglans  nigra,  the  Black  Walnut  or  Black  Hickory  Nut.  In 
Loudon’s  “  Encyclopaedia  of  Trees  and  Shrubs,”  it  is  stated  that  the 
growth  of  the  tree  is  remarkably  quick,  more  so  than  that  of  the 
European  Walnut.  At  eight  or  ten  years  of  age  it  begins  to  bear,  and 
age  increases  its  fertility.  No  tree  will  grow  under  its  shade,  and  even 
grass  is  injured  by  it.  In  forty  years,  in  good  soil,  it  will  attain  the 
height  of  from  50  to  60  feet.  The  heart  wood,  which  is  black,  remains 
sound  for  a  long  period,  when  exposed  to  heat  and  moisture  ;  but  the 
sap  wood  speedily  decays.  When  properly  seasoned  the  wood  is  strong, 
tough,  and  not  liable  to  warp  or  split.  It  is  never  attacked  by  worms, 
and  has  a  grain  sufficiently  fine  and  compact  to  admit  of  a  beautiful 
polish.  The  tree  is  universally  raised  from  the  nut,  which  after  being 
imported,  ought  to  be  sown  immediately,  as  it  seldom  retains  its  vital 
power  more  than  six  months  after  it  has  ripened. 
Belladonna  Xtllles  and  Vallotas  (IF.  N.). — The  Belladonna 
Lilies  in  bud — that  is,  flower — ought  to  have  pushed  the  scapes  before 
this  time,  as  the  usual  flowering  season  is  from  August  to  October,  but 
the  buds  are  probably  only  growths  which  do  not  appear  until  the 
flowering  is  over,  yet  the  foliage  ought  now  to  be  advancing,  so  that 
there  is  probably  something  wrong.  It  is  not  a  good  plan  to  keep  the 
soil  wet  in  the  hope  of  inducing  growth,  as  that  often  destroys  the 
young  roots,  especially  of  dried  bulbs.  The  Vallotas  will  not  push  their 
flower  scapes  until  next  August  or  September,  but  they  will  soon  start 
into  growth  and  grow  more  or  less  during  the  winter,  but  most  in  the 
spring  and  early  summer,  and  on  the  maturation  of  that  growth  depends 
the  flowering.  This  plant  is  an  evergresn,  and  flowers  with  the  leaves. 
It  must  not  be  dry  at  any  time,  so  as  to  cause  the  leaves  to  become  limp 
and  turn  yellow,  but  should  have  the  soil  moderately  moist  when  not 
growing,  and  when  in  growth  requires  free  supplies  of  water,  always 
erring  on  the  side  of  dryness  than  on  that  of  soddenness.  Due  supplies 
of  water  are  necessary,  not  giving  any  until  needed,  then  a  thorough 
supply.  Grow  in  a  light  airy  situation  in  the  greenhouse. 
lillyoftbe  Valley  Falllnir  (A  )- — We  have  carefully  examined 
the  Lily  of  the  Valley  crowns  and  found  in  each  a  perfect  spike  of  flower 
in  an  embryo  state,  so  that  if  they  had  received  proper  treatment  there 
is  no  reason,  so  far  as  the  crowns  are  concerned,  why  they  should  not 
send  up  good  spikes.  Allowing  that  it  is  to  the  welfare  of  Lilies  to 
rest  them  prior  to  forcing,  yet  in  your  case  the  contrast  from  9°  below 
freezing  point  to  100“,  and  probably  more,  is  exceedingly  great,  and  they 
would  doubtless  have  been  better  had  they  been  placed  for  a  short  time 
in  an  intermediate  temperature  and  thus  brought  on  gradually.  You  do 
not  say  whether  the  crowns  were  exposed  when  placed  in  the  forcing 
pit,  as  we  have  always  found  it  necessary  with  the  earliest  forced  crowns 
to  cover  them  when  brought  indoors  with  a  few  inches  of  moist  leaf 
mould  or  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  to  prevent  the  crowns  becoming  dry  ;  as 
should  this  happen,  even  though  there  be  abundant  moisture  at  the  root,  the 
crown  becomes  hard  and  callused  and  refuses  to  open  its  outer  folds  to 
let  out  the  flower  spike.  We  have  forced  Lily  of  the  Valley  at  this 
time  of  year  successfully  by  following  these  lines.  Box  off  the  crowns 
on  arrival,  and  place  out  of  doors  in  an  exposed  position  as  you  appear  to 
to  have  done  until  required  for  forcing.  When  this  lime  arrives  cover 
the  crowns  with  leaf  mould  or  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  and  place  the  boxes 
in  a  moderately  warm  temperature,  removing  in  a  few  days  to  the  hot¬ 
bed,  which  may  be  of  the  heat  mentioned,  or  even  more  ;  but  it  is  an 
advantage  to  have  the  plants  excluded  from  light,  and  the  water  used 
should  be  warm,  in  fact  of  a  higher  temperature  than  the  pit  in  which 
they  are  forced.  When  the  crowns  start  into  growth  remove  to 
temporary  covering  and  gradually  inure  them  to  the  light,  still  of 
course  maintaining  the  high  temperature.  Later  in  the  season  they 
will  force  with  much  less  trouble,  but  to  obtain  flowers  before  Christmas 
is  more  difficult ;  by  following  out  the  above  rules,  however,  we  have 
never  failed  in  obtaining  a  supply  of  good  spikes  with  leaves  befdre 
Christmas.  As  you  have  removed  the  boxes  outdoors  again  it  would 
not  be  advisable  to  attempt  a  second  time  at  forcing  them,  though  you 
might  place  them  in  gentle  heat  later.  It  is  a  good  plan  to  take  three 
or  four  boxes  at  a  time  into  the  forcing  house,  and  by  this  means  the 
supply  is  prolonged.  If  you  have  any  left  make  a  fresh  start  on  these 
lines. 
XTames  of  Fruits. — Notice. — We  have  pleasure  in  naming  good 
typical  fruits  (when  the  names  are  discoverable)  for  the  convenience  of 
regular  subscribers,  who  are  the  growers  of  such  fruit,  and  not  col¬ 
lectors  of  specimens  from  non-subscribers.  This  latter  procedure  is 
wholly  irregular,  and  w'e  trust  that  none  of  our  readers  will  allow 
themselves  to  be  made  the  mediums  in  infringing  our  rules.  Special 
attention  is  directed  to  the  following  decision,  the  object  of  which  is 
to  discourage  the  growth  of  inferior  and  promote  the  culture  of  superior 
varieties.  In  consequence  of  the  large  numier  of  worthless  Apples  and 
Pears  sent  to  this  office  to  be  named,  it  has  been  decided  to  name  only 
specimens  and  varieties  of  approved  merit,  and  to  reject  the  inferior. 
which  are  not  worth  sending  or  growing.  The  names  and  addresses  of 
senders  of  fruit  or  flowers  to  be  named  must  in  all  cases  be  enclosed  with 
the  specimens,  whether  letters  referring  to  the  fruit  are  sent  by  post  or 
not.  The  names  are  not  necessarily  required  for  publication,  initials 
sufficing  for  that.  Only  six  specimens  can  be  named  at  once,  and  any 
beyond  that  number  cannot  be  preserved.  They  should  be  sent  on  the 
first  indication  of  change  towards  ripening .  Dessert  Pears  cannot  be 
named  in  a  hard  green  state.  (A.  G.  II.'). — 1,  Sam  Young  ;  2,  Not  in 
condition  ;  3,  Golden  Noble  ;  4,  Alexander  ;  5,  Cellini  ;  6,  Warwickshire 
Pippin.  ^Formby). — 1,  Beurr^  Capiaumont ;  2,  Not  known.  QJ.  S.  U.), 
— 1,  Catshead  ;  2,  Golden  Reinette  ;  3,  Not  in  condition ;  4,  Vicar  of 
Winkfleld  ;  5,  Calebasse.  (TF.  G.). — 5,  Reinette  de  Canada  ;  6,  Northern 
Greening ;  7,  Dumelow’s  Seedling  ;  8,  Coe’s  Golden  Drop ;  9,  Norfolk 
Beefing  ;  10,  shrivelled.  (Y.  P.). — 1,  Not  known,  very  peculiar  flavour  ; 
2,  Beurr6  Diel  ;  3,  Lord  Derby.  (TF.  C.). — 1,  An  unknown  French 
Pear  ;  2,  Catillac  ;  3,  Beurr^  Superfin  ;  4,  Brougham  ;  5,  Flemish  Bon 
Chretien.  (6^.  G.). — 1,  Autumn  Pearmain  ;  2,  Rotten  ;  3,  King  of  the 
Pippins  ;  4,  Lord  Derby  ;  5,  Adams’  Pearmain  ;  6,  Not  known.  (TF.  6). 
— We  are  sorry  you  did  not  send  fruits  before.  They  were  too  soft  when 
dispatched,  and  as  the  tin  was  not  filled  firmly  we  had  only  a  jam-like 
mass  to  examine.  (J.  A.,  East  Yorhs). — 1,  Golden  Noble  ;  2,  M^re  de 
Menage  ;  3,  Not  known,  perhaps  local  ;  4.  Autumn  Pearmain.  (P.). — 
1,  Ringer;  2,  Spencer’s  Seedling.  {^W.  Crowder). — Cornish  Gilliflower. 
(ffi.  S.). — Fine  examples  of  the  Gloucestershire  Costard.  (TF.  TF.). — 
Beurrd  Capiaumont. 
BTames  of  Plants. — We  only  undertake  to  name  species  of  plants, 
not  varieties  that  have  originated  from  seeds  and  termed  florists’  flowers. 
Flowering  specimens  are  necessary  of  flowering  plants,  and  Fern  fronds 
should  bear  spores.  Specimens  should  arrive  in  a  fresh  state  in  Arm 
boxes.  Slightly  damp  moss,  soft  green  grass,  or  leaves  form  the  best 
packing,  dry  wool  the  worst.  Not  more  than  six  specimens  can  be  named 
at  once,  and  the  numbers  should  be  visible  without  untying  the  ligatures, 
it  being  often  difficult  to  separate  them  when  the  paper  is  damp. 
(J.  S.). — The  flowering  plant  is  Ixora  Fraseri.  The  other  plants  are 
varietal  forms,  obtained  from  seeds,  and  not  species.  They  can  only  be 
named  by  comparison  in  a  large  collection.  (TF.  U.).  —  1,  Pteris 
serrulata  cristata  major.  2,  Adiantum,  perhaps  assimile ;  3,  Onychium 
japonicum  ;  4,  Adiantum  formosum  ;  5,  Pteris  serrulata ;  6,  Adiantum 
Pacotti.  (_E.  TF.). — 1,  Daphne  indica  rubra  ;  2,  Either  a  Laelia  or  a 
Cattleya,  but  the  specimen  is  insufficient  for  positive  identification  ; 
3,  Adiantum  pubescens ;  4,  A  Tillandsia,  species  undeterminable. 
(A  Subscriber). — Datura  Knighti. 
COVENT  GARDEN  MARKET.— Novembeb  20th. 
FBHIT. 
Trade  keeps  quiet ;  supplies  lighter. 
No  alteration. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
8. 
d 
a. 
d. 
Apples,  per  bushel  . .  . . 
2 
0 
to  3 
6 
Lemons,  case  . 
35 
0  to  45 
0 
„  Nova  Scotia,  per 
Pears,  Californian,  per  case 
13 
0 
14 
0 
barrel . 
13 
0 
17 
0 
Plums,  per  half  sieve  ,. 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Oobs.per  100  lbs . 
35 
0 
37 
6 
St.  Michael  Pines,  each  . . 
2 
0 
6 
U 
Grapes,  per  lb . 
0 
6 
1 
6 
VEGETABLES, 
a. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
S. 
d. 
Beans,  per  lb . 
0 
4 
to  0 
6 
Mustard  and  Cress,  punnet 
0 
2  to 
0 
0 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Onions,  bushel 
3 
6 
4 
0 
Carrots,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
4 
Parsley,  dozen  bunches  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Cauliflowers,  dozen  . .  . . 
2 
0 
3 
0 
Parsnips,  dozen . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Oelery,  bundle  . . 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Potatoes,  per  cwt . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Ooleworts,  dozen  bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy,  bundle . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Cucumbers,  dozen  ..  .. 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Seakale,  per  basket  ..  .. 
2 
0 
0 
0 
Endive,  dozen  . 
1 
3 
1 
6 
Scorzonera,  bundle  , .  . . 
1 
6 
u 
0 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots,  per  lb . . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Spinach,  bushel  ..  .,  ,. 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Lettuce,  dozen . 
1 
3 
0 
0 
Sprouts,  half  siv . 
2 
6 
0 
0 
Mushrooms,  punnet  ..  .. 
1 
0 
i 
6 
Toma  toes,  per  lb . 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Turnips,  bunch . 
0 
3 
0 
0 
AVERAGE  WHOLESALE  PRIOBS.— OUT  FLOWERS.— Orchid  Blooms  in  variety. 
8. 
d. 
a. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
Acacia  or  Mimosa  (French) 
Orchids,  various,  dozen 
per  bunch . 
1 
0  tc 
2 
0 
blooms  . 
1 
6  to  12 
0 
Arum  Lilies,  12  blooms  .. 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Pelargoniums,  12  bunches 
4 
0 
9 
0 
Asparagus  Fern,  per  bunch 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Primula(double ),  doz.  spys. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Bouvardias,  bunch  .,  .. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Roses  (indoor),  dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Carnations,  12  blooms  . . 
1 
0 
3 
0 
„  Tea,  white,  dozen 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Chrysanthemum,  doz.  blms. 
1 
0 
4 
0 
„  YeUow,  dozen  (Niels) 
3 
0 
6 
u 
„  doz.  Dunches 
3 
0 
6 
0 
„  Safrano  (English), 
Eucharis,  dozen . 
4 
0 
6 
0 
dozen . 
1 
6 
3 
0 
Gardenias,  dozen  ..  .. 
2 
0 
4 
0 
„  Red,  dozen  blooms  . . 
1 
0 
1 
6 
Geranium,  scarlet,  doz. 
Smilax,  per  bunch  . ,  . . 
2 
6 
4 
0 
bunches . 
4 
(1 
6 
n 
Stephanotis,  dozen  sprays 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Lilac  (French)  per  bunch 
4 
0 
5 
0 
Tuberoses.  12  bloom  s . .  . . 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Lilium  lancifolium,  twelve 
Violets  Parme  (French), 
blooms . 
2 
0 
4 
0 
per  bunch  . .  . . 
3 
6 
4 
6 
„  longiflorum,  12  blooms 
4 
0 
6 
0 
„  Czar  (French),  per 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  dozen 
bunch  . .  . , 
2 
0 
3 
0 
sprays . 
1 
0 
2 
6 
„  Victoria  (French), 
Maidenhair  Fern,  doz.  bohs. 
4 
0 
6 
0 
12  bunches 
1 
6 
0 
Marguerites,  12  bunches  . . 
2 
6 
4 
0 
„  English,  12  bunches 
1 
6 
2 
6 
PLANTS 
IN  POTS. 
B. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Arbor  Vitas  (golden)  dozen 
6 
0  to  12 
0 
Ferns  in  variety,  dozen  .. 
4 
0  to  18 
0 
Aspidistra,  dozen  . .  . . 
18 
0 
36 
0 
Perns  'smair,  per  hundred 
4 
U 
6 
0 
Aspidistra,  specimen  plant 
5 
0 
10 
6 
Ficus  elastica,  each  ..  .. 
i 
0 
7 
0 
Chrysanthemums,  per  doz 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Foliage  plants,  var.  each 
2 
0 
10 
0 
Dracaena,  various,  dozen .. 
12 
0 
30 
0 
Lycopodiums,  dozen  . .  . . 
3 
0 
4 
0 
Dracaena  viridis,  dozen  . . 
9 
0 
18 
0 
Marguerite  Daisy,  dozen  .. 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Ericas,  various,  per  dozen  . 
9 
0 
24 
0 
Myrtles,  dozen . 
6 
0 
9 
0 
Euonymus,  var.,  dozen  . . 
6 
0 
18 
0 
Palms,  in  var.,  each  ..  .. 
1 
0 
15 
0 
Evergreens,  in  var.,  dozen 
6 
0 
24 
0 
„  (specimens)  ..  .. 
21 
0 
53 
0 
